Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2004-05: Bergfors put up respectable numbers in the top Swedish junior league, scoring 34 points in 21 games, including 18 goals. He was later promoted to Sodertalje’s senior men’s team, and saw action in 25 games and scored his first ever SEL league goal. Bergfors also represented Team Sweden at the U20 World Junior Championship as well as the U18 World Junior Championship. At the U18’s, he was named to the tournament All-Star team, and scored six goals in seven games. He was selected second overall in the CHL Import draft by the QMJHL’s expansion St. John’s Fog Devils in early July and was selected 23rd overall in the first round of the 2005 NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils.

2005-06: Easily the youngest player in the AHL (he turned 19 on March 7th), Bergfors finished the season as the River Rats active leading scorer with 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points in 65 games. His 40 points was 33rd among AHL rookies, and no other team had a leading scorer with so few points. Bergfors had a -11 rating, but his play at the other end of the rink improved with each game. Bergfors showed to be deceptively strong for a player his size and age and played smart and disciplined; only 10 penalty minutes in 65 games is quite an accomplishment.
2006-07: After an electric first season as the youngest player in the AHL, Bergfors somewhat underachieved in his second year as a pro. After leading the River Rats in scoring last season with 17 goals and 40 points, Bergfors only produced 13 goals and 19 assists in 60 games this year. His underwhelming play was most apparent at the World Junior Championships where he was one of Team Sweden’s most disappointing players, recording only two assists in seven games.

2007-08: Upon first glance at Bergfors‘ numbers (12 goals and 15 assists in 66 games), one would think that he had a sub-par year. But he made New Jersey’s opening night roster after a strong showing in training camp and exhibition games. Unfortunately for Bergfors, he ended up injuring his shoulder in his first NHL game, and he spent a month recovering before being returned to Lowell, where he subsequently injured his other shoulder. He started to show improvement in his overall play once the shoulder injuries were completely healed, but, in essence, those injuries ruined his season.
2008-09: Bergfors put up the best numbers of his four full seasons in the AHL, putting up career best totals across the board. In 66 games for Lowell, he recorded 22 goals and 29 assists, good enough for second best on the club. If not for a brief early season call up to New Jersey, where he suited up for eight games, scoring his first NHL goal, his numbers likely would have been even better.

2009-10: Bergfors was dealt to the Atlanta Thashers in the deal that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to the New Jersey Devils.

2010-11: Bergfors was dealt to the Florida Panthers at the trade deadline.

Talent Analysis

Bergfors is a well rounded player, and is more than willing to compete hard at both ends of the rink, a trait that is quite important for a player that gets drafted into the Devils organization. Bergfors sees the ice very well, possessing above average hockey sense that keeps him one step ahead of everyone else. He is a responsible defensive player and is not afraid to play physical style of game.

His overall offensive skill set is impressive as Bergfors has great speed, agility and stick handling ability. Add in the fact that he is tough to knock off the puck and you have a player that is able to create a lot for his teammates and for himself in the offensive zone. Bergfors is equally adept at setting up as he is finishing as he has a good shooting arsenal and touch around the goal.

While Bergfors is blessed with an enormous amount of natural skill, he must improve his work ethic and desire not just on a game to game basis, but a shift to shift basis. The talent is there, but he must compete harder and show more consistency.

Future

The time appears to be now for Bergfors to finally make the jump full time to the next level.